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Heroes: Dr Manzoor
Ahmed Butt, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
It is no coincidence
that the second of our heroes also comes
from Rawalpindi Pakistan. Indeed our
hero for this issue nominated our previously
featured hero, as part of his campaign
to encourage and care for his fellow
citizens in Pakistan, and citizens of
the world.
Dr Butt is
one of the great characters of our time,
and I am privileged to call him friend.
His role
as family doctor, particularly to the
poor and under-privileged, extends to
social reform, evaluation of infrastructure
and services, support of individuals
also doing their best, emergency services
and reminding the rest of us that not
everyone has access to the support and
services many of us are used to.
Doctor Butt’s
particular interests include women’s
health, and he personally trains women’s
health workers; earthquake survivors;
water quality; public health campaigns,
at his own expense; projects for WHO
and UNESCO; and when required paying
for medicine and food for his patients.
His clinic is in one of the poorer areas
of Rawalpindi.
Indeed I
recall corresponding with Dr Butt several
years ago when he was concerned that
his ‘social reform’ activities
were perhaps taking his focus away from
his family and patients. I replied that
there are people who look at the small
picture (their immediate concerns) but
fortunately there are also people who
extend their energies look at the big
picture – those issues affecting
the wider community, underprivileged
sectors of that community and indeed
the world as a whole – and Dr
Butt is very much a big picture person
– with a big heart.
The rest
of his story can be gleaned from the
photos below.
Lesley Pocock - Editor
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